About Transsemenic
At a glance: Scenic roads in Caraș-Severin County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 2½ – 3 hours. Information verified on 28 September 2026.
Transsemenic (also written Trans-Semenic or TransSemenic) is the name by which county road DJ582 is known: it crosses the Semenic Mountains in the Banat between Reșița and Slatina-Timiș, on the DN6. It runs for about 58 km, climbing from the Bârzava valley through Cuptoare and Văliug to the Prislop Pass, at around 1,000 m, then dropping down the other side through Gărâna, Trei Ape and Brebu Nou towards the Timiș valley. It is not an alpine highway like the Transalpina: it is a mid-mountain road, running mostly through beech and spruce forest, with wide bends and open stretches across the pastures on the plateau.
The road has existed for decades, but had become hard going. The Văliug – Slatina-Timiș section, almost 40 km long, was completely rebuilt by Caraș-Severin County Council with EU funds and opened in December 2014; that was when the press christened it the "Transsemenic" and the "Transalpina of the Banat". In 2023 repairs were carried out along all 47 km between Cuptoare and Slatina-Timiș, and in summer 2025 the side road DJ582E was paved: about 8 km, climbing from the Prislop Pass to the Semenic resort, at roughly 1,400 m.
What you can see
From Reșița, the road climbs the Bârzava valley to Văliug, where reservoirs and forest start to take over the landscape; from here a side road runs past Lake Gozna towards the Crivaia resort. Then comes the climb through the forest to the Prislop Pass, the junction where you turn right for the Semenic resort, with its ski slopes and the plateau on the ridge. Heading down to the east, the road passes through Gărâna, a village of old houses with a jazz festival in summer, past Lake Trei Ape and then across the pastures near Brebu Nou, the most open stretch, with wide views over the forested ridges. The last part drops in hairpins to Slatina-Timiș.
Good to know
The road is open all year round and is cleared of snow, but heavy snow and blizzards can cause temporary closures, especially on the DJ582E up to the Semenic resort. It is narrow in places, with tight bends and landslips on some stretches; in winter you need winter equipment.
- The Prislop Pass, at around 1,000 m, the highest point of the road, from where you climb 8 km to the Semenic resort, at roughly 1,400 m.
- The pastures near Brebu Nou, where the road leaves the forest and the view opens up over the Semenic ridges.
- Lake Trei Ape, beside the road, its shore ringed by spruce.
- The village of Gărâna, with its old houses and the jazz festival in the Poiana Lupului meadow in summer.
- Lake Gozna, a short detour from Văliug, on the road to the Crivaia resort.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from the west, it is ~100 km (~2h) from Timișoara to Reșița, then the DJ582 through Cuptoare to Văliug (~23 km) and the Prislop Pass (~32 km from Reșița). From the east, the road leaves the DN6 at Slatina-Timiș, ~20 km south of Caransebeș, and climbs through Brebu Nou, Trei Ape and Gărâna to the Prislop Pass (~26 km). From the pass, the DJ582E climbs ~8 km to the Semenic resort. The whole Reșița – Slatina-Timiș route is ~58 km and takes just over an hour without stops. Fill up in Reșița or on the DN6.
Public transport: since 10 August 2026, Transport Urban Reșița has run a metropolitan line Reșița – Văliug – Crivaia (10 lei a trip). There are no known scheduled services to the Prislop Pass, Gărâna, Trei Ape or the Semenic resort; the road is done by car, motorbike or bicycle.
- Where to park
There is no car park for the road as such: you stop on the roadside, in the wider spots, without blocking the carriageway. There are parking spaces at Văliug, by the lakes, at Trei Ape, in Gărâna and at the Semenic resort, next to the guesthouses and chalets. On summer weekends the lakeside area at Văliug gets crowded.
- Fees & discounts
The road is public and free. The road vignette (rovinieta) is not required on county roads such as the DJ582, but it is compulsory on the national roads leading to it, such as the DN6.
- Rules
Keep to the speed limits and do not stop on bends for photos. On the pasture stretches there may be flocks of sheep and sheepdogs. In winter you need winter tyres and, on the DJ582E up to Semenic, sometimes snow chains; during severe weather warnings the road may be closed temporarily. Leave no litter by the roadside.
- Facilities
Guesthouses, chalets and restaurants at Văliug, Crivaia, Gărâna, Trei Ape and the Semenic resort · ski slopes at Semenic in winter · beach and lake activities at Văliug in summer · no public toilets along the route; at the guesthouses and restaurants · petrol stations in Reșița and on the DN6
Frequently asked questions about Transsemenic
- How much is a ticket to Transsemenic?
- Admission to Transsemenic is free (public road, no toll). The road is public and free. The road vignette (rovinieta) is not required on county roads such as the DJ582, but it is compulsory on the national roads leading to it, such as the DN6.
- What are the opening hours of Transsemenic?
- Opening hours at Transsemenic: daily open 24 hours. Public road, open all year round and cleared of snow in winter. Heavy snow and blizzards can cause temporary closures lasting hours or days, especially on the DJ582E Prislop – Semenic and on the Brebu Nou – Slatina-Timiș section; before a winter trip, check the announcements of Caraș-Severin County Council or the local press.
- How long does a visit to Transsemenic take?
- A visit to Transsemenic takes about 2½ – 3 hours (the whole road, with stops).
- Can you visit Transsemenic with kids?
- Yes, Transsemenic is suitable for children (stops at lakes and resorts).
- Where can I park at Transsemenic?
- There is free parking at Transsemenic (on the roadside). There is no car park for the road as such: you stop on the roadside, in the wider spots, without blocking the carriageway. There are parking spaces at Văliug, by the lakes, at Trei Ape, in Gărâna and at the Semenic resort, next to the guesthouses and chalets. On summer weekends the lakeside area at Văliug gets crowded.
- How do I get to Transsemenic?
- Transsemenic is located at DJ582, between Reșița and Slatina-Timiș (DN6), via Văliug and Gărâna; Prislop Pass, the junction with the DJ582E to the Semenic resort, Caraș-Severin County. By car: from the west, it is ~100 km (~2h) from Timișoara to Reșița, then the DJ582 through Cuptoare to Văliug (~23 km) and the Prislop Pass (~32 km from Reșița). From the east, the road leaves the DN6 at Slatina-Timiș, ~20 km south of Caransebeș, and climbs through Brebu Nou, Trei Ape and Gărâna to the Prislop Pass (~26 km). From the pass, the DJ582E climbs ~8 km to the Semenic resort. The whole Reșița – Slatina-Timiș route is ~58 km and takes just over an hour without stops. Fill up in Reșița or on the DN6. Public transport: since 10 August 2026, Transport Urban Reșița has run a metropolitan line Reșița – Văliug – Crivaia (10 lei a trip). There are no known scheduled services to the Prislop Pass, Gărâna, Trei Ape or the Semenic resort; the road is done by car, motorbike or bicycle.
- When is the best time to visit Transsemenic?
- The best season for Transsemenic: All year round (in winter, with winter tyres).
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